Well, Day 1 is history from the Bluegrass State and the Hokies registered a solid 6-2 over Illinois. That makes it a good day as Illinois is a very solid softball team.

It was a beautiful, but HOT day in Lexington, and the Saturday high is predicted to be 86. I sure hope we can find a way to win the winner’s bracket game today as I don’t want to spend 6-7 hours in that heat. Friday’s attendance was reported at 1.794 and I would think the Saturday crowd would be even larger. There is a small, but vocal Hokie contingent here and I’m sure they’ll give it their best shot. I found the Wilcat fans to be very hospitable, but of course, they weren’t playing us.

In my preview, I noted that the Hokies looked to have a potential advantage in pitching, but I wasn’t sure how that stacked up given the difference in the level of competition. Well it’s ONLY one day and one game for each team, but I think more and more of the possibility MAY be real.
Illinois elected to start their #2, Senior Taylor Edwards, who had a stellar performance one week ago against Michigan in the Big 10 tournament, losing a 1-0, 8-inning gem. Edwards was solid, but not outstanding against the Hokies, giving up 4 runs in 5.1 innings. And when the Illini went to their ace, Sydney Sickels in the 6th inning, Sierra Walton greeted her with a 3 run blast.

For the Hokies, Keely Rochard pitched 6 solid innings for the Hokies, giving up two earned runs and striking out 4. She got into a jam in the 6th, but was bailed out by a beautiful SportsCenter worthy highlight from second baseman Maddie Banks. Carrie Eberle came in and pitched a 1-2-3 seventh, striking out one. Neither Hokie pitcher walked anyone, although Keely did have a hit by pitch.

Kentucky started Autumn Humes, arguably their #2, against Toledo. She struggled early, giving up 5 hits and 2 earned runs to a team that is not exactly murderers row (team batting average of .266), but then settled down and shut out the Rockets until she was replaced in the 6th by the Wildcats’ #3, Megan Schorman, who threw two shutout innings.

What’s missing from that Kentucky summary? Sophomore Grace Baalman, who has the most appearances of any Wildcat starter (32), Baalman has started 20 games, and has the lowest ERA of the regular starters at 3.61. She last pitched two weeks ago against Texas Tech, but has not pitched since, which is a bit puzzling. Perhaps it’s just gamesmanship, but it’s an interesting development, considering that she appeared on all 3 games against Alabama including holding them in one run in one of the wins

Regardless, having two quality starters like Keely and Carrie is a huge plus, especially if the Hokies end up playing multiple games in a single day. I would prefer not to do that, however, so a one and done each day would be my idea of a perfect day.
The Hokies just have to play solid defense, get a few timely hits, and hold down those strong Kentucky bats. Piece of cake, right?

Let’s see what happens.

Let’s Go Hokies!!!